Ippolita Rock Candy Ring
Early 2000s Dome Rings
Quartz, Sterling Silver
2010s American Modern Cocktail Rings
Quartz, Multi-gemstone, Pearl, Onyx, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Early 2000s Bangles
Quartz, Sterling Silver
1990s Bangles
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
1990s Bangles
Pearl, Quartz, Topaz, Turquoise, Blue Topaz, Sterling Silver
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21st Century and Contemporary Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Coral, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Greek Contemporary Solitaire Rings
Rubelite, Onyx, Gold, Sterling Silver, Silver, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Tennis Bracelets
Tourmaline, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Tennis Bracelets
Aquamarine, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s Thai Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Onyx, Sapphire, Gold Plate, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver, Silver
Vintage 1980s French Bangles
Gold Plate
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Tennis Bracelets
Garnet, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s Canadian Artisan Fashion Rings
Onyx, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Tennis Bracelets
Quartz, Silver, Sterling Silver
20th Century French Cocktail Rings
Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage 1960s American Modern Link Bracelets
Mixed Metal
Late 20th Century American Clamper Bracelets
Gilt Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Classical Greek Pendant Necklaces
Quartz, 24k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century More Rings
21st Century and Contemporary American Retro Retro Bracelets
Quartz, Topaz, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Tennis Bracelets
Citrine, Silver, Sterling Silver
Recent Sales
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Cocktail Rings
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary More Earrings
Topaz, 18k Gold
Early 2000s American Fashion Rings
Quartz, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Italian Cocktail Rings
Quartz, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Band Rings
Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Band Rings
Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Band Rings
Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Band Rings
Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Band Rings
Moonstone, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Band Rings
Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Band Rings
Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Band Rings
Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Band Rings
Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Band Rings
Hematite, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Band Rings
Agate, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Band Rings
Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Band Rings
Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Band Rings
Onyx, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Band Rings
Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Band Rings
Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Stud Earrings
Quartz, Turquoise, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Drop Earrings
Turquoise, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Drop Earrings
Turquoise, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Bangles
Turquoise, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Band Rings
18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Turquoise, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary More Rings
Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Chrysophrase, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Cocktail Rings
Citrine, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Cocktail Rings
Hematite, Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Cocktail Rings
Quartz, Topaz, Turquoise, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Fashion Rings
White Diamond, Quartz, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian More Rings
Chrysophrase, Turquoise, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian More Rings
Citrine, Quartz, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian More Rings
Diamond, Onyx, Quartz, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Cocktail Rings
Quartz, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Cocktail Rings
Amethyst, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian More Rings
Citrine, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian More Rings
Malachite, Onyx, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Cocktail Rings
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Finding the Right rings for You
Antique and vintage rings have long held a special place in the hearts of fine jewelry lovers all over the world.
No matter their origin or specific characteristics, rings are timeless, versatile accessories. They’ve carried deep meaning since at least the Middle Ages, when diamond rings symbolized strength and other kinds of rings were worn to signify romantic feelings or to denote an affiliation with a religious order. Rings have also forever been emblematic of eternity.
Over time, rings have frequently taken the form of serpents, which have long been associated with eternal life, health and renewal. Italian luxury jewelry house Bulgari has become famous for its widely loved Serpenti motif, for example, and its Serpenti ring, like the other accessories in the collection, began as an homage to jewelry of the Roman and Hellenistic eras. The serpent is now a popular motif in fine jewelry. Jewelry devotees have long pined for rings adorned with reptiles, thanks to antique Victorian rings — well, specifically, Queen Victoria’s illustrious engagement ring, which took the form of a gold snake set with rubies, diamonds and an emerald (her birthstone). Designs for Victorian-era engagement rings often featured repoussé work and chasing, in which patterns are hammered into the metal.
Engagement rings, which are reliably intimidating to shop for, are still widely recognized as symbols of love and commitment. On 1stDibs, a range of buying guides can be found for those in the market for antique engagement rings, vintage engagement rings or Art Deco engagement rings.
The most collectible antique engagement rings and vintage engagement rings are those from the Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco eras. Named for the monarchies of the four King Georges, who in succession ruled England starting in 1714 (plus King William’s reign), antique Georgian rings, be they engagement rings or otherwise, are also coveted by collectors. Pearls, along with colored gemstones like garnets, rubies and sapphires, were widely used in Georgian jewelry. The late-1700s paste jewelry was a predecessor to what we now call fashion or costume jewelry.
The Art Nouveau movement (1880–1910) brought with it rings inspired by the natural world. Antique Art Nouveau rings might feature depictions of winged insects and fauna as well as women, who were simultaneously eroticized and romanticized, frequently with long flowing hair. Art Deco jewelry, on the other hand, which originated during the 1920s and ’30s, is by and large “white jewelry.” White metals, primarily platinum, were favored over yellow gold in the design of antique Art Deco rings and other accessories as well as geometric motifs, with women drawn to the era’s dazzling cocktail rings in particular.
Whether you’re hunting down a chunky classic for a Prohibition-themed cocktail party or seeking a clean contemporary design to complement your casual ensemble, find an exquisite collection of antique, new and vintage rings on 1stDibs.